Uncle Poodle Presses Charges, Partner Sentenced to 5 Years

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An Atlanta-based blog reports that Lee Thompson, better known as “Uncle Poodle” on TLC’s “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” program has confirmed not only that he has tested positive for HIV antibodies, but that he pressed charges against his former boyfriend from whom he believes he acquired the virus.

The partner, Thompson says, was sentenced to five years in prison. In the interview, Thompson says he “hesitantly” decided to press charges and that “it was the right thing to do.”

There’s no reference in the interview to whether or not Thompson ever asked his former boyfriend about his HIV status or what conversations they did or did not have about HIV prevention or behavioral boundaries. Thompson says he was “adamant” about getting tested regularly for HIV, noting he was negative mid-March and then diagnosed positive in May.

Then he says: "I would have been cool with his HIV status if he had been honest. I don’t have an issue with the disease. I would have known how to protect myself." No, Lee, you already knew how to protect yourself. You chose not to and now you’re making it someone else’s fault.

When people are newly diagnosed they often are in a state of semi-shock, sometimes for an extended period, and sometimes make decisions they later regret. I don’t think anyone should put another person at risk of harm, but Thompson’s failure to take responsibility for protecting himself is no reason for him to put someone else in jail.

Uncle Poodle, if you read this, I wish you the best of luck managing your health situation, but I hope you’ll reconsider the vindictive course you have taken against your former partner.

For more information about HIV criminalization--or to join the campaign to stop it--go to www.SeroProject.com.